The ACRL Second Life Task Force has been operating within the virtual world of SecondLife since 2007. In that time we have provided programming and professional networkingfor ACRL members and potential members within Second Life. Educators are increasinglyusing virtual worlds for both distance and traditional classes. Librarians involved in virtualenvironments have found that in addition to the opportunity to support academics, manyopportunities exist for professional networking and continuing education for libraryprofessionals.

The ACRL Second Life Task Force sunsets in 2009 and the recommended ACRL VirtualWorlds Interest Group will continue and expand upon the initiatives of the Task Force byincluding any virtual environment where educators, library professionals, and librarystudents operate. The ACRL Board has approved the recommendation of the ACRLSecond Life Task Force to find a volunteer to manage the ACRL in Second Life space onALA’s sim in Second Life.

Our charge is to provide support and oversight for a designated volunteer to manage theSecond Life presence of ACRL; to facilitate communication and collaboration for ACRLmembers and potential members involved in or interested in virtual worlds for professionalactivities; to participate in and support the activities of ACRL in virtual worlds on an ongoingbasis; to advocate for ACRL and to recruit new members to ACRL in virtual worlds.

FISCAL AND STAFFING IMPACT: Minimal. ACRL staff will need to work with the ACRLMember Services office to ensure that the new interest group is added as a duesproduct to the membership form before September 2009. Staff will also need toupdate the ACRL web site to include information about the IG and work with the ALAITTS department to add this group to ALA Connect.